A Bushnell man has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder and sexual battery of a 33-year-old woman in 2018.
Tyler Ryan Hirsch, who was 16 years old at the time of the crime, was sentenced in the murder case of 33-year-old Melody Victoria Bennet on Friday morning. Now 24, he entered an open plea to the court back in March and was convicted of murder in the first degree, attempted sexual battery while armed, burglary of a dwelling while armed and three counts of battery on a law enforcement officer. He was sentenced to life in the Florida Department of Corrections by Judge Mary P. Hatcher.
“This was a senseless and horrific act of violence that devastated a family and shocked an entire neighborhood,” said Fifth Judicial Circuit Chief Assistant State Attorney Walter Forgie. “We are grateful to the investigators who worked tirelessly on this case and to the judge for today’s life sentence, which ensures that the defendant will never again be in a position to harm another innocent person.”
On Jan. 25, 2018, the day after Bennett’s thirty-third birthday, Sumter County sheriff’s deputies responded to a residence off County Road 625 in Bushnell in reference to a deceased person. Upon arrival, Bennett’s brother indicated he came to her home to check in on her after not hearing from her for a few days.
Once he entered the home, he discovered his sister dead inside. Officials began their investigation into her death after determining Bennett had died from homicidal violence due to numerous stab wounds on her body. DNA samples were taken from her, as well as various items at the scene. An autopsy was conducted by a medical examiner who determined Bennett died between the night of the 21st and 22nd due to multiple sharp force injuries.
During their investigation, officials conducted a neighborhood canvas and spoke with then 16-year-old Hirsch. He stated he knew Bennett, as they were neighbors, and she was a family friend. Hirsch denied any knowledge of the crime.
However, officials later learned that the day Bennett’s body was found – when there was a large law enforcement presence in the area – Hirsch was picked up by his school bus driver who asked what was going on. He responded that a woman was stabbed to death. At the time, law enforcement officials had not released any information about the crime, nor the manner of death.
Law enforcement later responded to Hirsch’s school, where they were able to speak with his teacher. The teacher informed deputies that on the morning of Jan. 22, 2018, Hirsch had asked to go to the school nurse to get a band-aid. He had a large laceration and other minor cuts to his hand. When asked what happened, Hirsch told his teacher he did not want to talk about it and that it was personal.
Law enforcement met with Hirsch’s parents and requested an interview with the juvenile at the sheriff’s office. During this custodial interview, Hirsch’s story about his interactions with Bennett changed. Authorities collected a DNA sample from Hirsch to compare to the DNA found at the scene.
After months of investigation and a positive DNA match comparison, Hirsch was arrested on Jan. 17, 2019.
Assistant State Attorneys Blake Shore and Richard Buxman prosecuted this case.